2015 Messenger

Mass Media Students go to

Hollywood

2015Emily Juhnke wins the

Mass Media Messenger

Student CreatesLive News Show at Washburn

SibbersonAward

KSWU

Volume 23

news

washburn.edu/massmedia

This has been a challenging year! Dr. Chorba has started phased retirement, so he is only teaching two courses for the next three years. Dr. Cranston has spent most of this semester’s sabbatical in Washington state, filming a documentary about Native Americans and salmon fishing. And Dr. Stover welcomed a new baby in April!

So Regina Cassell, JaeYoon Park and I have been working very hard to cover all the classes, meetings and events. Dr. Chorba has helped out, too with classes and events.

We had hoped to hire a new assistant professor in Public Relations and Advertising, but our search did not work out, so we’re still hoping to hire a lecturer for this fall. I hope you’ll see a new instructor then. Our Public Relations and Advertising emphases have really grown in the last year, so we’re hoping to put more emphasis there with a new instructor.

We’ve been lucky to have great adjuncts helping us, too.

We’re always glad to have Eugene Williams, the executive director of KTWU teaching for us. He has stepped in and worked with the Advertising II class. Sarah Towle, communications strategist for the Washburn Foundation (and one of our graduates!) has taught Creative Media

Writing and will be teaching PR I next fall. John Summers, a new transplant to Topeka and the news director for WIBW radio, has enhanced our radio and broadcast areas.

Another graduate, Krystal Wiltz, operations manager at Home Depot, is teaching an Introduction to Mass Media course. And we have a new lawyer, Eric Weslander teaching the Mass Media Law class. Tim Hrenchir, government writer from the Capital-Journal, is repeating his popular “Murder, Mayhem and Media” course.

One of the great joys of teaching is seeing students do well and I must give my students in Public Relations II kudos. Not only did the class plan the wonderful Derby-themed Mass Media Banquet, but they

also divided into two groups, which each planned a special event.

One group held a food drive for the Exchange, a food bank for students in the basement of Henderson. They encouraged students to give the money left over from their meal plans to buy food at the Corner Store for the Exchange. They raised $76 and collected 278 cans of food.

The second group promoted the new bicycle Rideshare Program that has four stations here at Washburn. They planned a late evening “Glow Ride,” which involved attaching glow

sticks, bracelets and necklaces to bikes for a ride from Washburn to the Capitol. More than 75 people showed up for the ride.

Both groups solicited donations, and were able to give participants something for being part of each event. Both events were amazing triumphs! I was so incredibly proud of the students and the work they did. Everything went off well, with no major catastrophes—the tables were in place, and the weather cooperated. Both were wonderful events, which showcased the group of talented students, raised awareness of a campus issue and provided a real-world experience for the class. I love being a teacher!

From the Chair

Kathy Menzie

Photo by Brian CervantezChair Kathy Menzie speaks about the challenges and successes of the 2014-15 academic school year.

“I was so incredibly proud of the students and the work they did. Everything went off well.”

Kathy Menzie

Volume 23, Issue 1

Messenger Editor:Sarah Seuell

Online Editor: Spencer Perry

Editorial Staff:Pedro Rolon BurtStephanie CannonTyler ChristmanJennifer FunkIsrael SanchezPaul Smith

Contributors: Mark FeuerbornBrian CervantezAdrianne Lara

Cover Design:Israel Sanchez Sarah Seuell

Faculty Adviser: Regina Cassell

The Mass Media Messenger is produced annually by students in the MM431 course, Creative Media Practicum.

This year we are proud to offer our alumni and friends an interactive experience. You can find our online magazine on the home page of the department’s website at washburn.edu/massmedia

IN THIS ISSUE

2468

20

1315

22

Menzie’s WordDr. Kathy Menzie

Mass Media BanquetSarah Seuell

Students in HollywoodIsrael Sanchez

KSWU streams liveJennifer Funk

Alumni Class NotesTyler ChristmanPaul Smith

Maria Stover’s babyPedro Rolon Burt

Dr. Chorba’s to retireTyler ChristmanPaul Smith

GraduatesSarah Seuell

MASS MEDIAMESSENGER


‘Down to The Wire’Each year the mass media

department hosts a student run banquet that brings the entire department together to celebrate the past year. The event includes a guest speaker, awards for outstanding students, and entertainment. For the 2015 Banquet, the students organizing the event settled on a Kentucky Derby theme. They titled the banquet “Down to The Wire” and invited all Mass Media students. The event provided a Kentucky style dinner with barbequed chicken, green beans, russet potatoes, dinner rolls and apple pie. The meal was made complete with some fresh iced tea.

Students planning the event wanted to have lots of entertainment throughout the banquet. To start, they invited Washburn Alumna Alicia Mowder, to speak about her career choices since graduating from Washburn. After graduating from Washburn, Mowder attended Kansas University where she received her Master of Science in Journalism of Marketing Communications. Mowder talked about how these choices helped her career progress since graduation, from working at Payless Shoe Source as a merchandise distribution analyst to her time at Sonic as the senior brand manager. Mowder said “After going through the mass media program

at Washburn and taking different courses, I found my path in branding and followed that into my career and graduate education.”

Other forms of entertainment included a picture stand that was set up with many props the student's could use in photos, including masquerade faces, cowboy hats, and masks. They also had many prizes for participants to win which included gift cards from local companies that supported the event including Bullfrog's Original and CiCi's Pizza. Other games focused directly on the Kentucky Derby theme. Each table was given a paper horse to pass around the table. Each time around the table counted as one full

Photos: #1 Featured Speaker, Alicia Mowder, a marketing executive at Sonic’s corporate office, shared her career journey with the audience. #2 Frank Chorba tells Paul Smith a joke during the banquet. #3 Mass media major Catherine Sharton,

right, is joined by a longtime friend. #4 Students in Public Relations II planned all the details for the event, including table decor. #5 Regina Cassell congratulates Ryan Ogle on his many achievements.

Photo by Mark Feuerborn

Photo by Adrianne Lara

Photo by Adrianne Lara Photo by Brian Cervantez

Photo by Brian Cervantez

1 2

3

45

By Sarah Seuell

Kentucky Derby Stylelap around the horse track. The table with the most laps when time was up, won.

Senior Johanna Greer, who worked on the committee planning the event said,

“I enjoyed preparing for the banquet, it was nice to have students in charge of the banquet. I liked the way it all turned out. I think our class did a great job.”

The students planning the event didn't just focus on entertainment, they used decorations to support their theme as well. Each table had several candles and some rose petals as the centerpiece. Students attending the event were asked to wear

either big floppy hats and summer dresses or slacks and a bow-tie.

Several students received awards at the banquet for their outstanding work throughout the semester. Outstanding

students were named in each emphasis in the department. These students were chosen by the professors for the award.

“I was very surprised and honored to be presented with the

outstanding student award, it made me feel very happy! I'm very proud to be graduating as a mass media major,” said Johanna Greer, who was named outstanding student in Creative Advertising.

Photo by Brian Cervantez

Photo by Mark Feuerborn

The Department’s top awards included Kara Protasio, Outstanding Student in Contemporary Journalism; Elizabeth Burgett, Outstanding Student in Public Relations; Monica McDougal, certificate of excellence; Olivia Marshall, certificate of excellence; Johanna Greer, Outstanding Student in Creative Advertising; and Ryan Ogle, Outstanding Student in Student Media. (Not Pictured) Vanessa Nunez, Outstanding Student in Digital Film and Video; Jake Wingo and Carly Willis, certificates of excellence.

“I was very surprised and honored to be presented with the outstanding student award.”

Johanna Greer, mass media senior


This past summer, a group of mass media students had the experience of a lifetime. Along with Dr. Charles Cranston, film and video professor, the students spent a week in Los Angeles learning the history and craft of filmmaking.

The purpose of the trip was to get the students familiar with how the film industry works by experiencing the locations first hand. For instance, the students visited Warner Brothers Studios, Sony Pictures Studios (MGM), as well as Paramount studios. Collectively, these studios have been responsible for movies such as, “The Amazing Spider-Man”, “The Dark Knight,” and “Transformers”.

Audriana Monteith, a film major, was one of the students that went on the trip.

“I would have to say that my all-time favorite parts were being able to go on the set of Central Perk, from “Friends,” and getting to see the Harry Potter museum of props at Warner Bros. Studios.”

During the week-long historical tour, the students visited scenic

preparation shops, set construction venues, special effects sets, and historical buildings.

“Everyone came away with an entirely different yet in-depth view of how Hollywood functions. And that was an important goal of the exploration project” Cranston said.

Besides touring studios and historical facilities, the students had opportunities to meet with studio historians, as well as other industry professionals.

“I feel that I came back with so much knowledge about my industry and I really think the trip helped me figure out what I wanted to do as a career,”

Monteith said.

The eight students and Cranston stayed in a house at Laguna Beach and used two rental cars for the duration of their visit. The trip was made possible by the Washburn Transformational Experience. WTE awarded the

students with $1,000 each, which covered airfare, housing and car rental fees.

During the trip, the students were required to keep a daily diary of their activities and have specific questions to ask when visiting a venue. At the end of the trip, these notes served as the basis for their presentation in order to fulfill the WTE requirements. The presentation was given in front of Cranston’s Advanced Media Lab students last fall.

“I am eternally grateful to Washburn and Dr. Cranston for giving me the opportunity to go to Hollywood and Los Angeles,”

Monteith said. “Without the WTE program, I wouldn’t have

been able to do that.”

Hollywood

“Everyone came away with an entirely different, yet in depth, view of how

Hollywood functions. That was an important goal of the exploration project.”

-Charles Cranston

Wu Media takes

By Israel Sanchez

1

2

Photos courtesy of Audriana Monteith

#1 Ezgi Gulec, Bradley Pechanec, Audriana Monteith, Lyhn Tran, Linda Montemayor and Jeremy Finnestead. (back row) Professor Charles Cranston and Jake Wingo.

#2 The well-known sign of Hollywood.

#3 Linda Montemayor, Audriana Monteith, Lyhn Tran and Jeremy Finnestead.

#4 Gryffindor Banner from the Harry Potter films.

#5 Students visited the classic set of “Friends” during the trip.

#6 Aragog, from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

#7 (back row) Jake Wingo, Ivan Moya, Bradley Pechanec and Jeremy Finnestad (front) Linda Montemayor, Audriana Monteith, Lyhn Tran, Ezgi Gulec.

3 4

5 6

7


Washburn senior Kara Protasio is the producer and an anchor on KSWU News. She transferred from the University of North Dakota. While majoring in mass media with a contemporary journalism emphasis, Protasio felt as though the mass media department was missing something.

For years, she had dreamt about being part of a newscast. Since Washburn doesn’t have any broadcasting classes at this time, Protasio decided to create “KSWU News” as her senior project in Advanced Media Lab.

This process was far from easy. There were many hurdles she had to go through in order to make this dream come true.

After coming up with the idea, Protasio had to contact Dale Rusche, production coordinator. He is the one responsible for video and multimedia production for Washburn University faculty and staff.

Lyall Ford, production assistant

has also been there to assist every step of the way. He creates multi-media and video productions for Washburn University faculty.

After making sure she could use the studio, Protasio had to recruit students who were willing to help with the show. In order to help with this process Regina Cassell, professor and director of Student Media, created an independent study class students could enroll in to receive credit for helping with the show.

From a previous internship at the University of North Dakota, Protasio decided to pick a similar format for her show. She likes the fact the KSWU News has news, sports, packages and interviews. The stories featured in the show contain national, local and Washburn news.

Although the students are encouraged to come up with their own

Photo by Regina Cassell

Senior Kara Protasio created KSWU news as part of Advanced Media Lab. The spring 2015 class included (back) Trevin Edelman, Jake Wingo, Ryan Ogle, Brian Cervantez, Israel Sanchez, Jeremy Finnestad, (front) Jennifer Funk, Farai Herrald, Sarah Seuell, Carly Willis and Kara Protasio.

Student creates KSwu news team

“Dale Rusche is very helpful in all this. He’s taught us how to use the equipment and he’s

dedicated some of his time outside of work just to help us with the show,” said Protasio.

Protasio said, “I really couldn’t have done this without Regina Cassell. She has been a great cheerleader for our show.”

By Jennifer Funk

story ideas, Protasio takes on the bulk of the work coming up with material and writing a script.

There have been technical difficulties along the way. The studio teleprompter and equipment have been challenging to work with at times. Protasio was most concerned about Washburn students not being aware of what KSWU News is.

To gain awareness the crew has created social media sites for the show and would like Washburn students to follow them and spread the news with

the show they have created.One of Protasio’s main goals is to

see improvement with each new show. Protasio will graduate in May

2015 and hopes that someone will step forward and take over the show once she is gone.

The cast of KSWU news is made up of many students all fulfilling seperate jobs. Those jobs include director, sound board leader, teleprompter, three camera operators, two anchors and one sports anchor.

Protasio believes this program will greatly benefit the school and fill a gap in broadcast journalism.

KSWU News was the final piece of the college puzzle for me. Without the experience, I wouldn’t have felt ready for my first job.

My time at KSWU News has been very enlightening. It gave me insight into what it takes to run a live news show, from the teleprompter to the camera, to shooting and editing video packages to be played during the show. It has been challenging but loads of fun.

-Farai Herrald

Working at KSWU News has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my time here at Washburn. Not only has it allowed me to explore areas that I wouldn’t have normally tackled, it allowed me to understand the process that goes behind the scenes in most news studios. KSWU News is a great example of the importance of teamwork.

-Israel Sanchez

Photos by Regina Cassell

“Kara is a very motivated and driven student. Watching the

progression of the show is very exciting to me. I’m proud of my

students,” said Cassell.“I just want every show to get better. I want students that are

a part of the show to really be proud of the fact that they are doing something pretty

ambitious.”

“I think it will add a lot to our program and it will give students the opportunities that we don’t necessarily have at this time,”

said Protasio.

Kara Protasio has also been nominated for the Sibberson award. This award is the highest acheivement a Washburn graduate can receive.

See pages 4-5 for more information.

-Carly Willis


Ryan OgleFatima OubaidKara ProtasioMallory LuneyAdam VlachEmily JuhnkeMallory Luney

Mass Media students

Jena DeanMark KotichElizabeth BurgettMonica McDougalKara ProtasioCarly Willis

Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest interdisciplinary honor society and invites seniors with GPAs in the top 10 percent and juniors with GPAs in the top 7.5 percent of their classes.

The Mass Media Department is proud of its many student accomplishments. We have students who have earned awards from across the campus.

Mass Media faculty nominated six students for Who’s Who. Ryan Ogle, Fatima Oubaid, Kara Protasio, Mallory Luney, former Kaw editor, and Adam Vlach. Emily Juhnke is not pictured.

Student Media received numerous individual awards at the KCM conference this year. WashburnReview.org was named All Kansas. Those attending the conference included Stephanie Cannon, Chelsea Howe, Ryan Ogle, Adam Vlach and Derek Richardson.

Olivia MarshallRegina Cassell

Honorary faculty membership

Who’s Who Winners

Phi Kappa Phi

NonosoPhoto courtesy of Regina Cassell

Photo courtesy of Washburn Review

Honored

In January the mass media department began preparation to implement its first Mass Media Day. Faculty are eager to bring high school students on campus to showcase all that the department has to offer incoming students.

This event is scheduled to take place March 25, 2016, and will focus on targeting high school sophomores and juniors interested in the media field.

The tentative plan for the day would include an opening welcome from University President Jerry Farley and Kathy Menzie, along with campus tours, lunch, rotating workshops and a panel discussion with alumni.

This event will be a recruitment tool, as well as a learning opportunity for mass media students. Professor Maria Stover gave her Advanced Media Lab students the chance to become involved in the construction of Mass Media Day.

“The entire event will be organized and run by mass media students, so it is in

essence a great case study in event planning,” said Stover.

Seniors Jennifer Funk and Sage Hermanson decided to tackle the planning as their project for the class. They have created a tentative schedule, contacted surrounding high schools counselors, designed a logo, had a class create a flier design, researched advertising opportunities, chose what promotional materials attendees will receive and created a

social media campaign schedule. It has proven to be a challenging

but rewarding experience for the students involved.

“I want to be able to showcase that, yes, we actually can show you and teach you how to be successful in Topeka... It’s that ability to say that I’ve put all of my skills together to create this thing and this is how it is suppose to work,” said Hermanson.

Before attending Washburn Hermanson was unaware that Washburn offered journalism in their mass media program. This is one of the reasons that Hermanson is excited to showcase what Washburn has to offer.

High schools in the surrounding area will be able to connect with Washburn mass media faculty. This will increase the awareness of the multiple emphases the mass media department offers.

“On the day of the event, we expect our students to become the ambassadors for the mass media program,” said Stover.

In the fall semester, there will be two or three students selected to continue Funk and Hermanson’s work. They each are hoping that Mass Media day continues to be an event on campus to educate future students.

Students Plan Mass Media Day ‘16By Jennifer Funk

#MM

DAY

2016

Photo by Regina Cassell

Seniors Jennifer Funk and Sage Hermanson created a blueprint in advanced media lab for the department’s first Mass Media Day, which will be open to high school students Spring 2016.

Please contact the department if you would be willing to join us on Media Day 2016.


Adjuncts bring experience

New FacesBy Stephanie Cannon

This year four fresh faces have graced the mass media department. These adjuncts bring real world experience and a fresh perspective to their lectures.

Eric Weslander began teaching MM300, Mass Media Law, this spring. He is also a practicing attorney at Lathrop & Gage LLP in Kansas City, where he handles cases in areas including media law, environmental law and contracts.

After obtaining a degree in journalism from Kansas University in 1999, Weslander continued his education at the Washburn School of Law school and graduated in 2010.

Teaching media law is something that highly interests Weslander.

“Media law is one of the most fascinating subjects around. The fact that I get to talk about things like Kim Kardashian look-alikes, government spying, lewd advertisements, fighting words, and monkey selfies makes my job easier and (I hope) makes the class more interesting for students,” said Weslander, when speaking about his class.

His goal is to not only expose

students to the substantive areas of the law, like defamation, privacy, access and more, but also to give them a better understanding of how the law works – who makes it and how; how it reflects cultural values and societal judgments; and how attorneys and judges think about it.

“I have enjoyed getting to know the students and the discussions

we have had in class, and the staff has been very helpful and supportive,” Weslander said.

Krystal Wiltz is another new adjunct in the mass media department. Starting this year Wiltz taught Intro to Mass Media.

A returning graduate, Wiltz obtained her BA from Washburn University. She studied mass media with an emphasis in advertising and a minor in electronic art. She then went on to obtain her MBA from Baker University and is currently an operations manager at The Home Depot Distribution Center in Topeka.

She enjoys teaching at Washburn

and she tries to bring that enjoyment to her students

“In my class, I want students to experience the different mediums hands-on. I take students on tours of different sites like the Topeka Capital Journal, KTWU, Nationwide Learning, and WIBW radio,” said Wiltz. “I also have guest speakers come and share information about a particular subject such as advertising and PR.”

Another face that has been seen in the mass media department is Gene Cassell, husband to Regina Cassell, who is currently the director of student media and lecturer in the mass media department.

Gene Cassell, who is in his 16th year as Washburn’s sports information director, taught Sports in the Media this fall. Cassell is a 1997 graduate from Northwest Missouri State University, where he graduated with a BS in journalism with a minor in broadcasting.

John Summers is the last media adjunct, teaching radio classes for Washburn and he is currently the news director at WIBW radio.

Professor Maria Stover gave birth to her second baby on Friday, April 17 at 1:32 a.m. His name is Elias Michael and he joins Addison, Stover’s 12-year-old daughter.

It has been a long wait for Addison, since she was already embracing the idea of having a baby brother long before Elias was born.

“She calls it ‘my brother,’ so she’s already embracing the idea,” Stover said, “Probably

being a single child for so long, she just thinks this is something cool so she is actually very, very

excited and very supportive.”

The pattern continues, as Stover said. In her family the first child is always a girl and the second one a boy. Maria Stover has a younger brother who has two children, the first a girl and the second a boy.

Stover’s husband—Mike—has been very excited with the fact that they were having a baby boy. Stover said that he was already talking about the jam sessions they will have and

how they will share the race car collection he owns.

When it came to deciding the name for Elias Michael, Stover said that it was not easy. It wasn’t as easy as their first experience with Addison, when her husband picked a name and they both agreed on the first try and it wasn’t discussed any more. This time, they struggled.

“We wanted something to work in both cultures, which is not very easy, that’s one of the

hardest things,” Stover said, “I mean there’s a lot of names that

could translate, but, you just have to find, I’ll say, the right

ring to it.”

Stover said that her 12-year-old daughter also voiced her opinion during the process. Addison suggested that he should be named Preston after her favorite blogger.

Now, with Elias Michael on board, Stover had to take a maternity leave, and for the first time in her career she did not finish the semester. Kathy Menzie, Regina Cassell and Frank Chorba filled in for her in Advanced Media Lab, Visual Communications and Media Literacy.

Stover Family Welcomes

Elias MichaelBy Pedro Rolon Burt

In the fall, Stover will return to campus to teach Visual Communication, Media Literacy, Internship and Independent Study.

Photos courtesy of Maria Stover


Mike Merriam has worn many hats during his life. Attorney for the Kansas Press Association, advocate for first amendment rights and professor of Mass Media Law at Washburn University. He’s won many awards, including a recent Lifetime Achievement Award by the Sunshine Coalition for his work in promoting open government. After many years he’s taken off his professor hat, and retired from teaching.

Merriam’s class taught students about the first amendment, copyright law, legal rights of journalists, slander and defamation and more. He was known to use Supreme Court cases to help teach his points.

“I respected Merriam for his knowledge of 1st Amendment and media-related law. I also appreciated that he had realistic expectations for the students. He knew we weren’t law students and he taught accordingly,” said Ryan Ogle.

Brian Cervantez expressed similar feelings about Merriam and his class.

“His class had an influence on me because I knew some things about mass media law, but not to the extent that

he explained it. I learned a lot that will benefit me in my film and video career,” said Cervantez.

Ogle felt that the case studies were important and he also believes Merriam’s influence will benefit students even after they’re no longer in mass media law.

“I took a lot from the history of First Amendment law and the cases that shaped it,” said Ogle. “ I also liked his stories about cases he’s been involved with. I thought that helped to give some real-world perspective on things, which made it easier to relate to the material.”

Cervantez believed that what made Merriam a great teacher lay with his accessibility and his interest in making sure that his students understood the subject matter.

“If you did not understand something that he was saying in class you could ask him right then and there. He would explain more about it,” said Cervantez.

Both Ogle and Cervantez thanked Merriam for his time and they didn’t believe the course could be the same after his departure.

“I’m not sure if anyone could

present the material in a way that was both challenging and accessible at the same time,” said Ogle, before laughing. “And I would hope that whomever took Merriam’s place lets class out early when there’s a KU game on.”

Courtesy of Kansas Press Association

Longtime media law adjunct Mike Merriam retired from teaching fall 2014.

Students Reflect onMike Merriam

AMERICAN ADVERTISING FEDERATION

TOPEKA

Learn and connect with Kansas advertising and marketing professionals by joining AAFT.

For information, email: [email protected]

Proud to support Washburn Mass Media Messenger

By Stephanie Cannon

and Frank Chorba Frank Chorba has had an enormous impact on the lives of the many students he has taught throughout the years at Washburn University. He has also done many great things for the mass media department, and Washburn. Currently he’s on phased retirement and will be no longer be teaching in two years.Some of his students got more out of his classes than others. “He was a good teacher who always tried to help you and make sure you understand everything,” said Kyle Kogl, a mass media student.Others were more impressed by some of his grander accomplishments.“If you look up the word epic in the dictionary, you get a picture of Hercules and Chorba having a beer,” said Ivan Moya, a student Washburn University. “Chorba’s tears can cure cancer. Too bad he doesnt cry.” For more than 30 years Chorba has inspired students to achieve their goals within the field of mass media. Throughout these years Chorba has taught a variety of classes including Sports & Media, Media Literacy and Broadcast Performance. In these classes students have been taught valuable tools that will benefit them in the future. “Whenever you walked into his

class, you weren’t just entering his class, you were entering into a life lesson,” Moya said. Through personal stories and a good sense of humor Chorba has put a unique spin on teaching. Not only has Chorba had an impact on many of his students he has also influenced many of his fellow colleagues. “Frank has a wonderful, delightful, incredible sense of humor, and is just an amazingly kind person,” said Kathy Menzie, the chair of the mass media department. Because of his background in mass media he has been trusted by

his hometown of Follonsbee, Pensylvania to write a timeline of the town’s history. Chorba has gathered his information by talking to older people that have lived in the area. His efforts have been supported by grants

from Washburn University. With these grants he has been able to get information from the local newspapers in town as well as pictures to use on the timeline. Chorba has a list of some of the residents he has interviewed. Dr. Chorba said one of his favorite residents of the town was a man named Joe Prest. He lived to be 100 and he took a shot of whiskey every day. Every day Prest delivered milk to the town on a horse and a wagon. He

learned the horse’s name was Nelly and that the horse knew where it was supposed to travel. These are part of the many stories that Chorba has uncovered throughout the process of making his timeline. “He is collecting, in one place, the history of this town, which is something nobody has done before,” said Maria Stover, professor of mass media. Another positive thing about his project is that it is not in book form. Instead, it is online and everybody can access it. According to Stover this is the biggest contribution to the project.

By Paul Smith and Tyler Christman

Courtesy of Frank Chorba

Longtime Professor Frank Chorba enters phased retirement this year. He will continue to teach part-time through spring 2017.

“If you look up the word ‘epic’ in the dictionary, you get a picture of Hercules and Chorba having a beer.”

Ivan Moya, mass media senior


Students go extra mile for class

ONDISPLAY

Spring 2015

Create.Connect.Display

Regina Cassell became the third member of the mass media faculty to complete the Leadership Washburn Program.

The program required monthly full- day sessions along with completing a project with a goal to address an issue on campus.

College of Arts and Sciences Dean Laura Stephenson nominated Cassell for the program.

“I learned a lot about myself and Washburn throughout the experience,” said Cassell. “I enjoyed getting to know some terrific people at

Washburn.” Both Professor Maria Stover

and Chair Kathy Menzie have also completed Leadership Washburn.

The mission of the program is “… to develop the requisite knowledge, perspectives, and skills of both current and future campus leaders to achieve individual and organizational excellence.”

Cassell said that as a result of this course, she has new insights that she is excited to apply to both her professional and personal life.

“I am excited to be working at

Washburn during such an exciting time in the university’s history. I expect great things in the future.”

Photos courtesy of Marta HautRegina Cassell prepares for her “trust fall” as part of the 2015 Leadership Washburn class. “I was so happy I did it,” said Cassell.

For the Advanced Media Class, a course required for seniors, students found creative ways to express their unique creativity and strengths in design. Projects ranged from websites and apps for phones, to childrens’ books, novellas and magazines. Professors were astonished at the amount of time, work and effort students put into their independent projects. Advanced Media Lab is a year long class, that gives students free-reign to create what they would like. Some students seek out companies to design websites for, while others branch out on their own to create something unique to them. Israel Sanchez had been wanting to write a novella since he was a child, and took this opportunity to do so. His timeline included hours and hours to brainstorm, write and edit his book. The book, “The Mysterious Manuscript” is available for purchase on Amazon. Ryan Ogle wanted to create a magazine for artists to show off their work to collectors, designers and home decorating departments. He was successful, his magazine “On Display” was released Spring 2015. Sarah Seuell had started her project wanting to build a website for Washburn seniors to display their artwork and contact information, but the project soon spread to include the entire state of Kansas. Artists displayed on the site range from tattoo artists and glass-blowers to mural artists and painters. The website also has an interactive blog where artists can share stories with each other. The professors sitting in on the presentations were proud of their students’ successes.

Seniors complete big projects. Israel Sanchez published “The Mysterious Manuscript,” Ryan Ogle created the magazine On Display and Sarah Seuell launched KansasArtShowcase.com.

By Sarah Seuell

Cassell completes leadership WUBy Staff

Diego Morales, a Washburn Mass Media graduate, had a memorable experience while working at his internship.

For his internship, Diego decided to go back to Asuncion, Paraguay—his home town.

“I decided that it would be better for me to look for an

internship in the place I would be working, or at least trying to find work, in the near future,”

Diego added, “I contacted Garabato and they gave me the opportunity to work with them.”

Garabato is a new, important advertising agency that works with important clients such as Unilever, Hotel Bourbon, Shopping Multiplaza and Yerba Indega, among others.

Diego had the opportunity to work with real clients thanks to his education. When he arrived in Garabato, his supervisor assigned him one of the most renowned bars in Asuncion—Don Vincenzo.

Esteban Lindgren, co-founder of Garabato, expressed his delight to have Diego as an intern.

“Diego arrived in Garabato and started working immediately,” Lindgren said. “He wanted to participate, he wanted to do something meaningful, so we assigned him the Don Vincenzo account.”

After months of working with the Don Vincenzo account—and other accounts—Diego received the news that the Don Vincenzo account was nominated for an award in the “Festival Tatakua” which is the major award ceremony organized by the “Círculo de Creativos del Paraguay.”

“I was very, very, very happy when they told me. I remember I was getting out of a class and

they were congratulating me on the group chat we had. At

first I did not understand what was going on, but then they explained it to me and I was really happy,” Diego said.

Don Vincenzo went to win the “Tatakua de Bronce” for packaging, which is the third place award.

Diego was grateful for his education. He said that thanks to Washburn, he could accomplish things instantly during his internship time at Garabato.

Diego is now planning to open an advertising agency in Asuncion and hopes to win more prizes. You can see some work Morales did while interning at Garabato by going to his website::

diegomo010.wix.com /onlinecv#!projects/c24sk

Diego morales’ Internship success

Graduate Diego Morales wins “Tatakua de Bronce” or third place for his work during his mass media internship in Paraguay.

By Pedro Rolon Burt

Photo Courtesy of Diego Morales

Photo Courtesy of Diego Morales

Photos Courtesy of Diego Morales

A few pieces of design work that Diego created while he interned with Garabato, a new advertising agency in his hometown of Asuncion, Paraguay. Morales was awarded “Tatakua de Bronce” for his achievements.


Graduate finds place in the Cape Emily Juhnke, a fall 2014 graduate of Washburn University, has been a star inside and outside of the classroom throughout her college career. Her efforts within the classroom earned her the Sibberson award, a substantial monetary award established by the trusts of Erna Sibberson and Gretchen O.A. Sibberson. The endowment was established to honor the most deserving student among the highest-ranking members of the senior class at Washburn University. Outside of the classroom, Juhnke has interned with Schowalter Villa, worked for the university’s foundation and acted as assignment editor for the Washburn Review. Now that Juhnke has graduated, she plans on interning again, only this time she’s leaving the country. Juhnke is performing a six-month volunteer internship at the Hillsong Africa Foundation (HAF) located in Cape Town, South Africa. Juhnke had visited Cape Town just two years

earlier on a study abroad trip through Semester at Sea. In a journal she kept while in Cape Town she had written,

“I know I’ll be coming back to this place. I could see

myself living here and going to Hillsong. I love it so much!”

Hillsong is a nonprofit organization that was founded out of Hillsong Church in Cape Town.

Juhnke plans to serve as a full-time public relations and communications intern for six months. Juhnke will help HAF improve its social media presence, create and implement a crisis communications plan, organize upcoming events, design newsletters and any other projects HAF may have. Although the internship is only listed at six months, Juhnke’s visa is valid for a little over a year and she is open to staying longer. Hillsong is also where Juhnke met pastor Phil Dooley who helped her accept Christ and restore her faith. Juhnke, on a whim, attended a Good Friday service at Hillsong Church. Afterward, she was sure that Cape Town was where she belonged. “Phil Dooley spoke the message of the gospel in a way that connected with me on a deep and personal level it hadn’t before. I accepted Christ into my life that morning and made the decision to follow Him.” Juhnke left a part of her heart in Cape Town that day. When graduation

Emily Juhnke is a Fall 2014 graduate of Washburn University who upon graduation recieved the Sibberson award. After visiting Cape Town, South Africa, Emily decided that following graduation she would take an internship in the heart of Cape Town, South Africa.

Photo Credit: Freeimages.com

By Sarah Seuell

began approaching she searched for ways that she could return. A Semester at Sea Facebook post revealed an internship placement organization in Cape Town, called Epiventure. When Juhnke reached out to Epiventure in hopes of returning to Cape Town, what she found was more than she had expected.

“They told me that they’ve been looking for someone with

my interests and skills for a long time and soon offered me

the internship.”

Juhnke is excited to begin this adventure, but still has her feet on the ground. She has even bigger plans for when she arrives back in the States, including a career and possibly grad school. But until then she’ll keep family and friends updated through her blog titled “Anchored in the Cape: A journey of personal, spiritual and professional growth.” Keep track of Juhnke’s adventure by following her at:

ejuhnke.blogspot.com/

Photo Credit: Emily Juhnke & Freeimages.com

Top Left: Chapman’s Peak is a mountain on the western side of the Cape Peninsula, about 15 kilometers south of Cape Town, South Africa. Bottom Left: Cape Town Table Mountain is a flat-topped mountain forming a prominent landmark overlooking the city of Cape Town in South Africa, and is featured in the Flag of Cape Town and other local government insignia. Top Middle: Emily Juhnke with her diploma and Sibberson Award following graduation. Top Right: Beach near Hillsong Church. Bottom Right: Kalk Bay is a fishing village on the coast of False Bay, South Africa and is now a suburb of greater Cape Town.

2920 SE Croco Rd Topeka, KS 66605

(785) 267-7400


2015 MASS MEDIA alumni class notesMikki Burcher

Burcher, 2010, started M Burcher Consulting and finished her master’s degree in liberal studies from Washburn in the fall of 2014. Her business focuses on content generation, content marketing, and search engine optimization. She is also a Leadership Greater Topeka 2014 graduate.Tyler Graf Graf, 2004, works as an accountant for a shipping maritime company, Tote Inc and recently bought a house in Seattle.Kristen Grimmer

Grimmer, 2010, just got a paper accepted to the BEA 2015 Conference in the Sports Division and it won 2nd place in the Debut Paper Category. She currently is teaching Media Writing in the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at KU and has one more year to finish her dissertation for her PhD.Justin Gutierrez

Gutierrez, 2010, works full time at Staff Remote V3 at ESPN. He does field work on major sports broadcasts for all Disney/ESPN networks.Kate Hampson

Hampson, 2011, Business Development & Finance Manager for the Fort Collins Soccer Club. It is a small, non-profit youth sports organization that services over 5,000 soccer players.Briana Holmes

Holmes, 2011, currently the Marketing & Development Coordinator at TARC, Shawnee County’s most experienced provider of support for children and adults with intellectual, developmental and related disabilities.

Molly Howey Howey, 2008, works for GO

Topeka as the Director of Business Development. She graduated from Oklahoma University’s Economic Development Institute in November of 2014 with plans to sit for the certification exam this year.Richard Kelly

Kelly, 2012, moved to the role of junior recruiter at Key Staffing. He now has his own client base and continues to cover the Topeka RoadRunners for the Topeka Capital Journal.Misty Kruger

Kruger, 2010, works at Shawnee County Health Agency as Public Information Officer. She graduated from Friends University with an MBA. She was selected to Leadership Topeka Class of 2015. She lives in Silver Lake with her husband, Tom and their two children.Chris Marshall

Marshall, 2009, is the Copy Editor at Advisors Excel (see page 21).Jayna McFarland

McFarland, 2010, Is the host of the new local kids’ program, “Aunt Molly and Friends” on WIBW.Ashley Nadeau

Nadeau, 2011, marketing Director for InterHab in Topeka. InterHab is the oldest and largest statewide association of developmental disability service providers. They are the premier entity in Kansas for advocacy on behalf of developmental disability issues. She was nominated for Top 20 under 40.Neil Payne

Payne, 1998, currently prepping a short film “Social of Modern American Youth 101.”

Travis PerryPerry, 2009, became a father,

sold a house/moved back to Topeka, and started working at Washburn as Communication Coordinator with admissions.Keri Battershell-Renner

Battershell-Renner, 2003, is the Director of Communications for Kansas Housing Resources Corporation in Topeka.Eric Smith

Smith, 2009, was promoted to Online Editor for the Topeka Capital Journal.Melissa Sowers

Sowers, 2012, Director of Communications & Events for the Kansas Motor Carriers Association. KMCA is the statewide membership driven organization created to serve the trucking industry and its Allied Members.Samantha Tadlock

Tadlock, 2013, is working as a project analyst for the solar rebate program at Kansas City Power and light. She remodeled her house, has grown her speed dating business, and is getting married Dec. 31, 2015.Rob Welcher

Welcher, 2011, is overdrive operator/Video Editor for Fox 25 in OKC.Leslie Welker-Kruger

Welker-Kruger, 2010, was promoted to eMarketing Communications Specialist at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas in November. She and her husband welcomed a baby boy, Lukas, on May 16, 2014.Daniel Wiggs

Wiggs, 2007, is a performance quality manager at SE2.

Congratulations to the 2015 All Kansas website

www.washburnreview.org

Advisors Excel is an independently owned insurance marketing organization in Topeka. It began with three friends at a kitchen table, all sharing the belief that the independent producer deserves more.

In 2004, they launched their company with $135,000. After being in business for over 10 years, Advisors Excel is now valued at $5.1 billion.

Advisors Excel founders Cody Foster, David Callanan and Derek Thompson all met while attending Washburn University. After their business continued to grow, more teams and members were needed in a variety of fields.

Two copy editors of the creative team mention that Washburn prepared them for the careers they have today.

“The mass media classes [at Washburn] gave me a solid foundation as a writer and an editor, and the opportunities Washburn provides allowed me to see what it was like to work in this field in the real world,” said Chris Marshall.

Working as a copy editor, Marshall is responsible for editing content for websites, emails, magazines as well as print pieces that go to employees and financial advisors around the world.

Regina Stephenson, also an editor on the creative team, recalls a variety of classes and

Washburn professors that impacted her life.

“I came to Washburn with a high focus on my field to begin with, but the instructors in the

writing and PR tracks were excellent in terms of teaching,

challenging and fostering opportunities to expand my knowledge and experience,”

said Stephenson.

Although some students are concerned about obtaining a job in the mass media field, Marshall assures that media jobs are consistent.

“Don’t let people tell you mass media is a bad career choice. There will always be a need for writers and editors, whether it’s online or in print,” said Marshall.

Advisors excel has great successBy Jennifer Funk

Photos courtesy of Advisors Excel

Chris Marshall

Regina Stephenson


Megan Beck

Johanna Greer

Sage Hermanson

Jennifer FunkJeremy FinnestadVeronica DiazTyler Christman

Elizabeth BurgettSarah BrummettZoe BrownDanielle Brown

Jordan LoomisKyle KoglEmily Juhnke Victor Lara

Congrats,Mass Media Grads of 2014 & 2015

Yujie Zai

Kelsey WagersSamantha StanleyPaul SmithSarah SeuellIsrael Sanchez

Brittany RhoadesKara ProtasioRyan OgleChloe Majors Pedro Rolon Burt

Carly Willis

The 2015 Advanced Media Lab class poses on the steps of Mabee Library. This class of 35 students created some noteworthy student projects (see page 16). Most of them are also part of Washburn’s 150th graduating class. To learn more visit Washburn’s website: www.washburn.eduPhoto Credit: Regina Cassell

Brian AshleyWahkunah BlevinsElizabeth BukatyKatherine ClarkShaun CollinsJennifer CoxMegan Dortch

Kiley GrahamJennifer LauberLeslie LydaKaitlyn MartinKathryn McDonaldAdriana MonteithDiego Morales

Ivan MoyaMicah OffermannKayla RussellTyler SaveryStanley TravisTitonian Wallace

Graduates Not Pictured

Non ProfitU.S. Postage

PAIDPermit No. 689

Topeka, KS

Mass Media Department 1700 SW CollegeTopeka, Kansas 66621

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